Mechanism of reactions of glycerophosphates with ditelluratocuprate(III) in alkaline medium

Abstract

The reaction of α- and β-glycerophosphates with ditelluratocuprate (III) in alkaline medium is first order each in [Cu(III)] and [glycerophosphate]. The rate increases with increase in [OH^-] in the oxidation of aglycerophosphate but is independent of [OH^-] in the reaction of β-glycerophosphate. Based on the kinetic results it is proposed that the mechanism involves C - H bond cleavage in the rate determining step leading to the formation of phosphoglyceraldehydes and copper(II).